Gabrielsen



March 22, 1955 c. GABRIELSEN 2,704,590

COIN REGISTER ASSEMBLY FOR COIN CONTROLLED VENDING MACHINES Filed Aug.16, 1947 7 Sheets-Sheet l I N V EN TOR. C HR/S 77HN 6459/51. SEN

1477' ORA/E Y March 22, 1955 c. GABRIELSEN ,7

COIN REGISTER ASSEMBLY FOR COIN CONTROLLED VENDING MACHINES Filed Aug.16, 1947 7 Sheets-Sheet 2 Zoo v INVENTOR. C HE/ST'IHN GHBE/ELSEN March22, 1955 c. GABRIELSEN 2,704,

com REGISTER ASSEMBLY FOR .COIN CONTROLLED VENDING MACHINES Filed Aug.16, 1947 7 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVEN TOR. C HE/S T/4/v 6H8 E/ELSEN BYMLWMarch 22, 1955 c. GABRIELSEN 2,704,590

COIN REGISTER ASSEMBLY FOR COIN CONTROLLED VENDING MACHINES Filed Aug.16, 1947" 7 Sheets-Sheet 5 IN V EN TOR. C H/e/snq/v GHBR/ELSEN HTTO/PNEY March 22, 1955 c. GABRIELSEN 2,704,590

COIN REGISTER ASSEMBLY FOR COIN CONTROLLED VENDING MACHINES Filed Aug.16, 1947 7 Sheets-Sheet 6 342 298 284 286 2% a 2% 50B 250 4 280 294 3 g285 7 205 370 2 4 292 572 520 322 I 3/8 3 3/0 550 534 328 4 )5 4 306 3560a 1 524 I I z G I E ,=U E" G8 302 2 7/ INVENTOR. CHE/5 T/AN GQBE/gLSEN"MAM H 7'TOENEY March 22, 1955 c. GABRlELSEN COIN REGISTER ASSEMBLY FORCOIN CONTROLLED VENDING MACHINES Filed Aug. 16, 1947 7 Sheets-Sheet '7INVENTOR. flR/s'mq/v G/QBR/ELSE/V BY M 1. .9

F) TTORWE Y United States Patent COIN REGISTER ASSEMBLY FOR COINCONTROLLED VENDING MACHINES Christian Gabrielsen, Whippany, N. J.,assignor to The Rowe Manufacturing Co., Inc., Whippany, N. J., acorporation of New York Application August 16, 1947, Serial No. 768,997

6 Claims. (Cl. 194-92) My invention relates to a coin register assemblyfor coin controlled vending machines and, more particularly, to animproved coin register having great flexibility and general applicationto vending machines of all types.

The coin registers of the prior art have been complicated, expensive tomanufacture and of limited flexibility. They have been designed, forexample, to accept coins equaling a specific sum, say twenty cents inthe case of a vending machine selling cigarettes at twenty cents a pack.The twenty cents, it is true, in the coin registers of the prior art maybe in the form of four nickels, two dimes or two nickels and a dime. Ifit were desired to vend objects for fifteen cents, ten cents ortwenty-five cents, a ditferent register would have to be employed.

One object of my invention is to provide a coin register assemblyadapted to receive one, or a plurality of coins of varying denominationsto separate the coins into their respective denominations, pass theseparated coins through appropriate slug ejectors, permit the vendingmachine to be operated to dispense the desired merchandisc and, if acoin of a denomination too large for the amount required to complete thepurchase is used, to give the proper amount of change.

Another object of my invention is to provide a coin register which issimple and inexpensive to manufacture.

Another object of my invention is to provide a coin register which isadapted to vend articles having different prices from the same vendingmachine.

Another object of my invention is to provide a combined coin registerand change-making device adapted to be replenished by the coinsdeposited in the vending machine and to give the proper amount of changedepending on the price of the article being vended and the denominationof the coins deposited.

A further object of my invention is to provide a coin register which issturdy, reliable and safe whereby to preclude the operation of a vendingmachine without the deposit of valid coins of the proper denominations.

Another object of my invention is to provide a coin register which willpermit the operation of a vending machine for a predetermined sumirrespective of the number and denomination of the coins making up thissum.

A still further object of my invention is to provide a coin registerwhich will operate irrespective of the amount of wear upon the coins andin spite of considerable deformation thereof.

Another object of my invention is to provide a coin register in whichthe money is not accepted until after the articles thereby purchased aredelivered.

A further object of my invention is to provide a combined coinseparator, slug ejector coin register and change-maker assembly which iseasily removed for inspection or replacement.

Still another object of my invention is to provide a novel coin registerassembly having great flexibility and adaptability for application tovending machines of various types, irrespective of the sum required torender the coin register operative.

Another object of my invention is to provide a novel coin registerassembly which may be easily scavenged and from which coins may bereturned to the purchaser in event desired article being vended by thevending machine is exhausted.

Other and further objects of my invention will appear from the followingdescription.

2,704,590 Patented Mar. 22, 1955 ice In accompanying drawings which formpart of the instant specification and which are to be read inconjunction therewith and in which like reference numerals are used toindicate like parts in the various views:

Fig. 1 is an end view of a vending machine showing my novel coinregister assembly in position.

Fig. 2 is a front elevation of my improved coin register assembly.

Fig. 3 is an elevation drawn on an enlarged scale, with parts insection, showing the change-making device and a portion of the operatinglinkage.

Fig. 4 is the perspective view showing the coin separator.

Fig. 5 is the perspective view of a portion of the coin register withparts broken away.

Fig. 6 is the sectional view taken on a line 6-6 of Fig.

7 is a sectional view taken on a line 7-7 of 8 is the sectional viewtaken on a line 8-8 of 9 is the sectional view taken on a line 9-9 ofFig. 10 is the sectional elevation taken on a line 10-10 of Fig. 6.

Fig. 11 is the sectional view drawn on an enlarged scale taken on a line11-11 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 12 is the sectional view drawn on an enlarged scale taken on a line12-12 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 13 is a fragmentary sectional view drawn on an enlarged scale takenon a line 13-13 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 14 is the fragmentary sectional view taken along the line 14-14 ofFig. 3.

Fig. 15 is a fragmentary perspective view showing the price differentiallinkage.

Fig. 16 is the fragmentary elevation showing a portion of the coinreturn and scavenging operating linkage.

Fig. 17 is a fragmentary sectional view taken along the line 17-17 ofFig. 4.

For purposes of illustration and not by way of limitation, I shalldescribe my improved coin register assembly in connection with thevending machine shown in copending application of Christian Gabrielsenand Gustaf Erickson, Serial Number 754,480, filed June 13, 1947. It isto be understood and it will be readily appreciated by those skilled inthe art, that my improved coin register assembly is of generalapplication and may be used in connection with any vending machine.

In general, my invention contemplates the provision of an operatingmember, the movement of which sets the vending machine into operation,or permits its operation.

The arrangement is such that the operating member is normally free tomove. When there are no coins in the register or the improper number ofcoins of proper denomination in the register, the operating member willbecome immobilized to preclude it from setting the vending machine intooperation or from permitting the vending machine to be operated. If,however, the correct number of coins of proper denomination are lodgedWithin the register, the operating member will be free to continue itsmotion. In other words, my coin register is normally unlocked but movesto locking position in absence of correct coins. A price differentialmechanism is associated with my assembly so that articles of varyingprices may be dispensed with a common register. If, for example, theprice of the article to be vended is twenty-five cents, my register issuch that it will operate with a quarter, two dimes and a nickel, threenickels and a dime or with -five nickels. At the same time, my registermay operate to vend articles for twenty cents, in which case a quartermay be used and the purchaser will receive the article and a nickel inchange. In the case of a twenty cent sale, my register will operate withfour nickels, two nickels and a dime or two dimes.

My register, furthermore, may be used for a fifteen cent sale. In thiscase when a quarter is deposited, two nickels are given in change andthe register will operate with three nickels or with a dime and anickel.

More particularly, referring now to the drawings, the end of a vendingmachine is indicated generally by the reference numeral in Fig. l. Thepush button 22 is adapted to rotate the lever 24 in a clockwisedirection against the action of spring 26, thus moving the link 28 tothe right as viewed in Fig. 1. The lever 30 1S fulcrumed around pivotpin 32. The upper end of lever 30 is pivotally secured by pin 34 to oneend of the link 36. The other end of lever 30 is pivotally secured tothe link 28 by pin 38. Movement of the link 28 to the right will rotatethe lever 30 in a counter-clockwise direction, thus moving the link 36to the left as viewed in Fig. 1. This movement of link 36 places tensionupon the four springs 40, 42, 44 and 46. The left hand ends of thesprings 40, 42, 44 and 46 are secured to the link 36. The right handside of spring 40 is secured to slide extension 48. The right hand sideof spring 42 is secured to slide extension 50. Similarly, the right handends of springs 44 and 46 are secured to slide extensions 52 and 54. Theslide extensions can be seen in Figures 5, 6 and 13 and are formedintegrally with slide arms 56, 58, and 62 as can be seen by reference toFigures 5 and 6. Slide arm 56 forms part of slide 64. Slide arm 58 formspart of slide 66. Slide arm 60 forms part of slide 68, while slide arm62 forms part of slide 70. Each of these slide arms is provided with alug 72 to prevent the slides from fouling.

The tensioning of the four springs starts to move each of the slides 64,66, 68 and 70 which are lodged in a register housing indicated generallyby the reference numeral 74. The construction of the register is such,however, that each of the slides will lock after a predeterminedamplitude of motion when the register is empty or when it does notcontain the correct number of coins of proper denominations.

When, however, there is deposited in the coin register a correct numberof coins of proper denominations, one of the slides will be free tocontinue its motion due to the fact that the construction is such thatthe coins prevent locking of a particular slide, depending upon thecoins and their denominations. The motion of one of the slides permitsit and its associated extension to move sufficiently to make contactwith the operating member.

Referring now to Fig. 1, for purposes of illustration the operatingmember is shown as a lever 76 pivoted about a pin 78 secured to thevending machine housing. A lug 80 is carried by the lever 76 adjacent anelectric switch 82. The arrangement is such that the lug 80 is adaptedto contact a switch operating member to close the switch and set thevending machine into operation. It is to be understood, of course, thatthe movement of the slide which is freed may be employed to unlatch alocking member which normally prevents the operation of the vendingmachine in the case of a hand-operated device.

Still referring to Fig. 1 and by way of illustration and not by way oflimitation, in the vending machine shown in co-pending application ofChristian Gabrielsen and Gustaf Erickson, Serial Number 754,480, filedJune 13, 1947, the closing of the circuit by switch 82 results in thedischarge of an article from the vending machine. The dischargingoperation rotates a shaft 84 which carries a crank 86. A lever 88 ispivoted about pin 90. A link 92 connects the end of crank 86 and thelower end of lever 88. The rotation of crank 86 will rotate lever 88 ina counter-clockwise direction so that its upper end 93 is adapted tocontact a pin 94 carried by the lower end of lever 76, thus rotating itin a clockwise direction opening the circuit closed by switch 82 andre-setting the slides to their original position. The discharge of anarticle from the vending machine is adapted to rotate crank 96 or crank98 in a counter-clockwise direction. The lower ends of cranks 96 and 98are inter-connected by a link 100. The rotation of crank 98 in acounterclockwise direction is adapted to rotate bent lever 102 about itspivot 104. This rotation of lever 102 is adapted to cam the coin shelfto accept the coins permitting them to pass to the cash box as will behereinafter more fully described.

A lever 106 is pivoted around pin 108. The lower end of lever 106 isadapted to be rotated in a counter-clockwise direction by a scavengingpush button 110 shown in Fig. 16. The upper end of lever 106 is pinnedby pin 112 to a bent lever 114 which is fulcrumed about pivot pin 116.The counter-clockwise movement of lever 106 is adapted to rotate thebent lever 114 in a clockwise direction. This movement is adapted to camthe money shelf to coin-return position as will be hereinafter morefully described. At the same time, the clockwise rotation of bent lever114 is adapted to pull link 118 downwardly,- thus operating thescavenging linkage shown in detail 111 Fig. 4.

Referring now to Fig. 4, coins of all denominations including quarters,dimes and nickels are adapted to be inserted into a common receivingslot which leads to the entrance 120 of a coin chute 122 whence theyfall to an inclined runway 124. The coin separator is provided with afront plate 126 and a rear plate 128 pivotally suspended from lugs 130and 132 carried by the front plate. The rear plate 128 is secured to anarm 134 which carries a plate 136, forming the rear closure of the coinchute 122. A bell crank lever 138 is pivoted about pivot pin 140. A link142 connects arm 134 at one end of the bell crank 138. A second bellcrank 144 is pivoted about pin 146. A third bell crank 148 is pivotedabout pivot 150. A connecting bar 152 is pivotally connected by pins154, 156 and 158 to the upper arms of the bell cranks 148, 144 and 138.A bracket 160 is rigidly carried by the upper end of pull link 118. Theother end of bracket 160 is connected to link 142. When pull link 118moves downwardly in response to the operation of scavenging push button110, each of the bell cranks 138, 144 and 148 will rotate in a clockwisedirection as viewed in Fig. 4 to operate the scavenging mechanism ofrespective slug ejectors, as is well known in the art.

Referring now to Fig. 2, the twenty-five cent slug ejector 162 isprovided with a scavenging operating member 164 which is pivoted aboutpin 166. The five cent slug ejector 168 is provided with a scavengingoperating member 170 pivoted about a pin 172. The ten cent slug ejector174 is provided with a scavenging operating member 176 pivoted about pin178. The bell crank 138 is adapted to rotate scavenging member 164 in aclockwise direction to scavenge the twenty-five cent slug ejector. Thebell crank 144 is adapted to rotate the scavenging member 170 toscavenge the five cent slug ejector 168. The bell crank 148 is adaptedto rotate the scavenging operating member 176 of the ten cent slugejector.

Referring again to Fig. 4, I secure a quarter cam 180 to the plate 126.The distance between the runway 123 and the quarter earn 180 is suchthat it will permit nickels and dimes and pennies to pass. Its positionis such, however, that it will tilt the upper portion of a twentyfivecent piece causing the lower portion thereof to leave the runway 124through the opening 182 in the plate 126 and cause the quarter to dropdown chute 184. Nickels, pennies and dimes will continue their pathalong the runway 124. A nickel cam 186 is carried by the plate 126 andis similar in construction to the quarter cam 180. It is provided withan inclined camming surface 188. Its position is such that dimes andpennies will pass untouched by the cam. When a nickel, however, passesthe cam, the camming surface 188 thereof will cam the upper portion of anickel away from the plate 126 so that the lower portion of the nickelwill slide from the runway 126 through the opening 190 into the nickelchute 192 and thence to the nickel slug ejector 168.

Pennies and dimes will continue their path along the inclined runway124. A penny ejecting cam 194 is positioned adjacent the runway suchthat it will permit the passage of dimes but will cam pennies into ascavenging chute 196. The dimes continue along the runway to a chute 198whence the dimes will fall into the ten cent slug ejector.

Should a dime, a nickel, a penny or a quarter be lodged in the coinrunway as may happen in the case of a bent or deformed coin, theoperation of the coin separator will be blocked until the scavenginglinkage is operated. Downward motion of the pull link 118 pullsconnecting link 142 downwardly, thus rotating the bell crank 138 andoperating all of the slug eiector scavenging mechanisms and at the sametime tilting the back plate 128 and the back plate 136 of the coin chutepermitting any coins on the runway 124 or caught between the plates 126and 128 to fall into the scavenging chute along with ejected penniespassing through chute 196 to be returned to the depositor.

Referring now to Fig. 2, the slug ejectors 162, 168 and 174 adapted toreceive quarters, nickels and dimes respectively, may be of any suitableconstruction such as shown in the United States patent to William Patzeret al., 2,158,909, or in the United States patents to Walter A. Tratschet al., 2,158,919 and 2,159,117.

If desired, I may employ a slug ejector adapted to separate dimes,nickels and quarters and eject spurious coins of all threedenominations.

It is to be noted that in the construction shown, the slug ejectors areremovably mounted underneath the respective coin chutes and may bereplaced without disturbmg the rest of the mechanism. Spurious quartersare adapted to be rejected by the quarter slug ejector 162 for passagethrough a chute, the entrance of which is indicated by reference numeral200. A valid quarter passes through the passage 202 and thence throughpassageway 204 to rest upon a money shelf 206 which is pivoted aboutpins 208 and 210. Pivotally mounted about pin 212, I provide a pivotedstop member 214. The lower arm 216 of the stop member is adapted to beactuated by a quarter 218 shown in position resting with its lower edgeon the money shelf 206, to pivot the stop member 214 to bring its upperarm 220 into the path of quarters falling down the chute 202. If a usernow deposits a second quarter, it will be cammed by the upper arm 220 ofthe stop member to fall into a coin return chute through a connectingchute, the opening of which 222 is shown to the right of the stop memberarm 220.

Spurious five cent pieces or slugs will be ejected by the nickel slugejector 168 to pass through an ejection chute, the opening of which 224is shown in Fig. 2. Valid nickels will pass through a chute 226 to areception slot 228 formed in part by the top of the money shelf 206. Thelength of the slot is such that five nickels 230, 232, 234, 236 and 238may be lodged therein. After five nickels have been deposited, theyoccupy the positions shown in Fig. 2. Thereupon, the deposit of a sixthnickel will result in its striking the fifth nickel 238 and beingejected through an ejection chute, the entrance to which 240 is shown inFig. 2.

Spurious dimes will be ejected by the slug ejector 174 to pass through achute 242 and thence to an ejection chute, the entrance of which 244 isshown in Fig. 2. Good dimes will pass through chute 246 to a dime slot,the lower surface of which is formed by the top of money shelf 206. Apair of pivoted stop members 248 and 250 are carried by the money shelf.The construction is such that the lodgment of the first dime 252 willpivot the stop member 248 to permit the second dime 254 to be retainedin side by side position without overlapping. Similarly, the deposit ofthe second dime 254 will rotate the stop member 250 to permit the properpositioning of the third dime 256. A third stop member 258 is operatedby the positioning of the third dime to block the chute 246 such thatupon the deposit of a fourth dime it will i be ejected through theejection chute through opening 244.

It will be seen that the register, as described, is adapted to receiveone good quarter and eject the rest. It is adapted to receive five goodnickels and eject the rest. It is adapted to receive three good dimesand eject any further dimes. The coin separator, the slug ejectors andthe money shelf are carried by a frame 260 which is mounted for removalas a unit upon the hinge pins 262 and 264 shown in Fig. l. Secured tothe money shelf or formed integral therewith, I provide a generallyU-shaped plate 266 and a triangular plate 268 disposed as shown in Fig.2 to form a channel 270 for the passage of nickels. The plates 266 and268 are sandwiched between the money shelf plate 206 and a second plate272 which may be made of transparent material to permit the view of thenickels 274 in the nickel duct 270. It will be observed further, thatthe nickels lodged in the nickel duct 270 form a supply of nickels whichmay be dispensed as change as will be pointed out more fullyhereinafter.

Referring now to Fig. 5, a plate 276 is carried by, and spaced from, theframe 260 to form a coin passage 278 therewith. The bottom of this coinpassage is closed by the top of the money plate 206 as can readily beseen by reference to Fig. 6. A sheet metal housing, formed by channelmember 280 and cover member 282, is secured to the plate 276 and housesthe slides 64, 66, 68 and 70 as can readily be seen by reference to Fig.5. A plurality of pins are mounted for movement adjacent the bottom ofthe housing and transverse of its longitudinal axis. Pins 284, 285, 286,287 and 288 are positioned opposite the nickel receiving slot 228 (shownin Fig. 2) and in alignment with nickels resting upon this slot upontheir deposit therein. Pins 290, 291 and 292 are similar to pins 284 to288 inclusive and are mounted in alignment with dimes resting in thedime slot upon their deposit therein, as can readily be seen byreference to Fig. 2. Pin 294, similar to pin 284, is mounted oppositethe position of a quarter when resting upon the money shelf as shown inFig. 2. Each of the transverse pins just described is provided with aspring 296 tending to urge the pins to the left as viewed in Fig. 5 andto the right as viewed in Fig. 6. Each of the pins carries a verticallocking rod. The quarter pin 294 carries a rod 298. The nickel pin 284carries a rod 300. The nickel pin 285 carries a rod 302. The nickel pin286 carries a rod 304. The nickel pin 287 carries a rod 306. The nickelpin 288 carries a rod 308. The dime pin 290 carries a rod 310. The dimepin 291 carries a rod 312 and the dime pin 292 carries a rod 314. Thehousing cover 282 is provided with a plurality of slots 316 throughwhich the pins project as can readily be seen by reference to Fig. 7.

It will be seen that the springs 296 tend to move their respective pinsand the associated locking rods upwardly as viewed in Fig. 8 to whichreference is now had. Let us now consider that there are no coins in theregister and the operating button 22 is in its normal position at rest.In this position the upper slide 64 will hold the nickel rod 300, thenickel locking rod 302 and the nickel locking rod 304 downwardly againstthe action of springs 296. To the right of each of the flattenedportions formed upon slide 64 adjacent the nickel locking rods 300, 302and 304, I form a locking notch 318, 320 and 322. The upper slide 64 isalso provided with a flattened portion adapted to hold the first dimelocking rod 310 downwardly against the action of its spring 292. To theright of the locking rod 310, I form a locking notch 324 in slide 64.The construction of slide 64 can be seen by reference to Figs. 8 and 5.

The second slide 66 is formed with a flattened portion 326 adapted tohold the quarter locking rod 298 downwardly against the action of spring296 associated with pin 294. To the right of the flattened portion 326,I provide a locking notch 328. The third slide 68 is provided withlocking notches 330 and 332 and is normally adapted to hold locking rods312 and 314 to the right as viewed in Fig. 5 against the action ofsprings 296 associated with pins 291 and 292. The third slide 68,furthermore, is provided with a locking notch 334 adapted to coact withthe first nickel locking rod 302. The bottom slide 70 is provided withfive locking notches 336 which are adapted to coact with respectivenickel locking rods 300, 302, 304, 306 and 308. The bottommost slide 71is the price differential slide, the function of which is to simulatethe deposit of nickels to hold back certain locking pins as will behereinafter more fully described.

It will be remembered that when a push button 22 is operated, all fourslides 64, 66, 68 and 70 will be constrained to move to the left throughthe action of the connecting springs 40, 42, 44 and 46 and theassociated linkage heretofore described. Considering slide 64 alone, itwill tend to move to the left as viewed in Figs. 5 and 8. With no coinsin the register, locking rod 300 will move into locking notch 318,locking rod 302 will move into locking notch 320, nickel locking rod 304will move into locking notch 322 and dime locking rod 310 will move intolocking notch 324, thus immobilizing slide 64. This arresting of slide64 will occur before slide extension 56 can contact the upper end ofinitiating lever 76. It will be readily observed that unless threenickels and one dime are in position ontop of the money shelf, slide 64will be immobilized by its locking pins. If, however, three nickels anda dime are on the money shelf between plates 260 and 276 in the positionshown in Fig. 2, the pins 284, 285 and 286, as well as the dime pin 290,will be held to the right as viewed in Fig. 5 and downwardly as viewedin Fig. 8, thus preventing the locking pins from entering the lockingnotches hence permitting slide 64 to continue its movement and initiatethe operation of the vending machine with which my register isassociated. It will further be observed that three nickels and one dimewill free only slide 64. There being no quarter on the money shelf,slide 66 will be immobilized. The first of the three nickels willprevent the nickel locking rod 300 from entering the notch 334 of slide68. The first dime will prevent the locking rod 312 from entering thelocking notch 330 of slide 68. The absence, however, of the second dimewill permit the locking rod 314 to enter the locking notch 332 of slide68, thus immobilizing this slide. It will be noted that in Fig. 5 thelocking rod 310 serves no function. It is permanently held back in theconstruction shown by permanently securing a slug dime 252 in the dimeslot on top of the money shelf. If desired, I may insert a fifth slidewhich will operate on three dimes and give a nickel change but forpurposes of simplicity I have shown only four slides operating on threenickels and a dime, a quarter, a nickel and two dimes and five nickels.The bottom slide 70 will be freed only by the deposit of five nickelsdisregarding the price differential which will be described hereinafter.The deposit of only four nickels will permit the fifth nickel lockingrod 308 to enter its corresponding locking notch 336 formed on slide 70and thus immobilize this slide.

The freeing of any one of the slides 64, 66, 68 or 70 will permit thisslide to initiate the operation of the vending machine through the lever76.

In the foregoing discussion it has been assumed that a twenty-five centsale was to be made necessitating the deposit of a quarter which willhold the quarter locking rod 298 out of its locking notch 328 and thusfree slide 66, the deposit of three nickels and one dime which will freeslide 64, the deposit of a nickel and two dimes which will free slide 68or the deposit of five nickels which will free slide 70. It will berecalled that one of the objects of my invention was to permit the sameregister to be used to vend articles of different prices from the samevending machine by the use of a common register. Let us now refer toFig. in which a push button 21 is shown similar to push button 22 butwhich is associated with a column vending articles at twenty centsinstead of twenty-five cents. The push button 21 has associatedtherewith a pin 23 operating in a slot 25 and adapted to contact a cam27 carried by a rod 29. A plate 31 is pivoted around pivot pin 33attached to the frame 35 of the vending machine. The end of rod 29 ispivotally secured by pin 37 to the plate 31. A price differential link39 is pivoted about pin 41 carried by the casing of the vending machine.Movement to the right of rod 29 will pivot the plate 31 in the directionof the arrow in Fig. 15. The lower end of lever 39 is operativelyconnected by lug 43 to the plate 31. The rotation of the plate 31,therefore, will rotate the price differential lever 39 around its pivotpin 41 in a counterclockwise direction. At the same time, the pushbutton 21 will rotate the crank 24 and operate the link 36 as describedin connection with the operation of push button 22.

Referring now to Figs. 2, 3 and 14, it will be observed that theterminal portion of the nickel reservoir duct 270 terminates in twonickels held in place by a pair of shelves 340 and 342. The shelf 340 iscarried by a lever 344 which is pivoted about pin 346 carried by themoney shelf 206. A spring 348 normally holds the lever 344 in theposition shown in Fig. 14 maintaining the shelf 340 in a positionsupporting the terminal nickel in the nickel reservoir duct 270. Apivoted stop member 350 is normally held in the position shown in Fig.14 by the lower end of the lever 344 against the action of a spring (notshown) biasing the stop member 350 to rotate in a clockwise direction asviewed in Fig. 14. When the lever 344 is rotated around its pivot 346 ina clockwise direction, the shelf 340 will permit the nickel supportedthereby to drop and permit the stop member 350 to rotate in a clockwisedirection to prevent further nickels from moving into the space createdby the dropping of the nickel supported by the shelf 340. The secondshelf 342 is supported in a manner similar to shelf 340 from a secondlever 352. There is a second stop member 354 similar to stop member 350adapted to prevent nickels in the reservoir from rolling out of thereservoir upon the removal of the shelf 342.

Referring now to Fig. 5, it will be observed that the quarter slide 66carries an arm 356 integral therewith and extending at right angles tothe axis of the slide. The slide 68, which is freed by two dimes and anickel, carries an arm 358 integral therewith and below the arm 356. Theprice differential slide 71 carries an extension arm 360 as can readilybe seen by reference to Figs. 5 and 9. The arm 360 is embraced by a forkformed at the upper end of the price differential lever 39 as canreadily be seen by reference to Fig. 3. Whenever the price differentialis operated, the arm 360 will move to the left under the influence ofthe leftward movement of the upper end of lever 39. The slide 71 isprovided with a lug 362 adapted to hold out the first nickel locking pin300. The slide is also provided with a lug 364 "adapted to hold out thethird nickel locking rod 304.

Pivotally carried by price differential slide 71 around pivot pin 366, Iprovide a lever 368 carrying a lug 370 adapted to hold out the fifthnickel locking rod 308. The lever 368 is normally held in the positionshown in Fig. 9 by a spring 372. An opening 374 is formed adjacent theend of the lever 368 such that, unless there is a nickel 376 in the coinguide formed by plates 260 and 276 to hold the end of the lever, the lug370 will not perform its function of immobilizing the fifth nickellocking pin 308. In other words, the third nickel must be depositedbefore the fifth nickel locking rod 308 will be immobilized.

It will be seen that whenever the price differential cam operates, theregister will be freed by the deposit of only four nickels, the fifthnickel locking rod 308 being held out by the lug 370, or two nickels andone dime the third nickel locking rod 304 being held out by the lug 364or upon two dimes the first nickel locking rod 300 being held out by thelug 362. If desired, the register may be set to operate on fifteen centand twenty cent purchases. This is accomplished by placing a slugpermanently adjacent the pin 284 so as to lock out of operation thefirst nickel locking rod 300. For a twenty cent purchase, a user willdeposit four nickels freeing the slide 70, two dimes freeing the slide68, a quarter freeing slide 66 or two nickels and a dime freeing slide64. On a fifteen cent purchase, the price differential will operate sothat slide will be freed by three nickels, slide 64 will be freed by onenickel and a dime, the third nickel locking rod 304 being held out bythe lug 364 of the price differential slide or with two dimes freeingslide 68, as well as with a quarter. It will be observed, however, thatin the case of a fifteen cent purchase, the deposit of a quarter willrequire the delivery of two nickels in change and, similarly, with thedeposit of two dimes, one nickel in change.

Referring now to Fig. 3, when the quarter slide 66 is operated it willmove arm 356 to the left as viewed in Figs. 3 and 5. Similarly, wheneverthe slide 68 is operated, that is, the slide which is freed by two dimesand one nickel, the arm 358 will move to the left as viewed in Figs. 3and 5. Pivoted to the frame work of the machine around pivot pin 380, Imount a lever 382 biased to rotate in a counter-clockwise direction byspring 384. Pivotally mounted on lever 382 around pivot pin 386, Iprovide a lever 388, the lower end of which is formed with a cam 390adapted to cam the levers 344 and 352 to rotate in a clockwisedirection. Intermediate the ends of the lever 388, there is formed astepped plate 392 having an upper step 394 and a lower step 396.

Whenever the quarter slide is operated, arm 356 will contact the step394 and rotate the lever 388 in a clockwise direction. Similarly,whenever the two dimes and nickel slide 68 is operated, the arm 358 willcontact step 396 to rotate the lever 388 around its pivot 386 in aclockwise direction. It will be observed, by virtue of the steps, thatthe rotation of the lever 388 by arm 356 will be of greater amplitudethan the rotation of the lever 388 by the arm 358. Normally, that is,with the higher value purchase when the price differential cam does notoperate, the position of the pivot 386 is such that the cam 390 does notcontact either of the upper ends of levers 344 or 352. When the pricedifferential cam operates, as in the case of a lower value purchase,

' the price differential lever 39 swings to the left as viewed in Fig. 3carrying with it the arm 360 operating the price differential slide 71and at the same time rotating the lever 382 in a clockwise direction.This carries the pivot 336 to the right as viewed in Fig. 3 and rotatesthe cam 590 through a further arc to swing the cam 390 past one or bothof the respective ends of levers 344 and 352. In the case of themovement of the quarter slide arm 358, the amplitude of motion is suchthat the upper end of lever 352 will be pivoted to swing the nickelsupport 342 clear of the nickel permitting it to drop, followed by thecamming of the upper end of the lever 344 to cause the nickel shelf 340to be withdrawn to permit a second nickel to drop. it is to beremembered that we are now considering a fifteen cent purchase with thedeposit of a quarter. The user will thus receive two nickels in changeupon the deposit of a quarter with a fifteen cent purchase. Due to thestep and the position of the fulcrum furnished by arm 358, the amplitudeof motion of the cam 390 is such that only the first lever 352 isoperated so that on a fifteen cent purchase a user will receive onenickel in change.

A locking lever 400 is pivoted about a pivot pin 402 and is providedwith a locking surface 404 adapted to lock arm 356 and a locking surface406 adapted to lock arm 358 when the lever 400 rotates downwardly in acounter-clockwise direction around its pivot pin 402. A supporting link408 normally holds the locking lever 400 in the position shown in Fig.3. The lower end of supporting link 408 is formed with a flange 410adapted to rest upon the third from the last nickel 412 in the nickelreservoir 270. If the nickel reservoir becomes empty of at least threenickels, the locking lever 400 will drop immobilizing arms 356 and 358.When this occurs if a user deposits a quarter for a fifteen centpurchase, he will be unable to operate the machine since the slide willnow be locked by the surface 404. Similarly, if a purchaser deposits twodimes in the case of a fifteen cent purchase, he will not be able tooperate the machine since slide 68 will be immobilized through arm 358and locking surface 406.

The money shelf 206 is normally held 1n the posltion shown in Fig. 6 bya pair of springs 420 and 422 as shown in Fig. 12. A threaded rod 424 issupported by the frame 260 of the register assembly. By rotatlng the rod424, the compression of springs 420 and 422 may be adjusted. The moneyshelf 206 carries a bracket 426 as can readily be seen by reference toFlg. 11. The bracket carries a pair of cam rollers 428 and 430 adaptedto coact with cam 114 and cam 432 carried by arm 102.

As was described hereinabove, the operation of the coin return pushbutton 110 will move cam 114 downwardly contacting roller 428 andtilting the money shelf to rotate in a counter-clockwise directionaround its pivot 208. This permits any money supported by the moneyshelf surface 434 to drop to the right of the money shelf 206 to a chutereturning the money to the purchaser.

When merchandise is delivered by the vending machine, the bent lever 102will be rotated about its pivot pin 104 to move the cam 432 downwardlycontacting the cam roller 430 to rotate the money shelf 206 in aclockwise direction. This permits the money on the edge 434 of the moneyshelf 206 to drop to the left of the money shelf or to the front of themoney shelf as viewed in Fig. 2. Quarters will drop to the left of thechange reservoir into the money box 436. Dimes will drop to the right ofthe change reservoir into the money box 436. Nickels will drop on theupper surface 438 of the plate 236 and roll downwardly to the left. Ifthe coin reservoir duct 270 is full of nickels the nickels will roll tothe left of the reservoir and follow the path of the quarters into themoney box. If, however, the coin reservoir duct is partially empty,nickels will roll into the reservoir duct to replenish it. In thismanner the reservoir is kept full to supply change as pointed out above.

In operation, let us assume that the register is set for a twenty-fivecent and a twenty cent purchase and let us consider first the operationof our register with a twenty-five cent purchase. A user deposits coinsequaling twenty-five cents into the coin slot accessible at the exteriorof the vending machine with which my register is associated. These coinsmay be a quarter, three nickels and a dime, one nickel and two dimes orfive nickels. The coins will fall through the chute 122 of the coinseparator and pass to the respective slug ejectors. A quarter will bedirected through slug ejector 162, the nickels will be directed throughslug ejector 168 and the dimes will be directed through slug ejector174. The coins will then rest on their edges on the top surface 434 ofthe coin shelf 206 in position between plates 260 and 276 behindrespective pins 284, 285, 286, 287, 288, 290, 292 or 294 depending onthe denomination and number of the coins.

A user then presses the push button 22 rotating lever 24 and hence lever30 to move the link 36 to the right tensioning all four springs 40, 42,44 and 46 moving all four slides 64, 66, 68 and 70 to the left. If aquarter has been deposited, slide 66 will continue its motion .whileslides 64, 68 and 70'will be locked by the locking rods in the mannerpointed out above. If five nickels have been deposited, slide 70 willcontinue its motion while slides 64, 66 and 68 will be arrested by thelocking rods and coacting locking notches formed in the slides. If threenickels and a dime have beendeposited, slide 64 will continue its motionwhile slides 66, 68 and 70 will be arrested. Similarly, upon the depositof a nickel and two dimes slide 68 will be freed while slides 64, 66 and70 will be arrested.

The freed slide depending on the number and denominations of the coinsmaking up the twenty-five cents will, in its continued motion, have itsextension arm 56, 58, 60 or 62 brought into contact with the upper endof lever 76 rotating it in a counter-clockwise direction whereby its lug80 will actuate the switch 82 to close the circuit to operate themechanism of the vending machine. It is to be understood, of course,that in the case of a completely mechanical vending machine, the motionof the freed slide acts to unlatch the operating mechanism to operatethe vending machine. Our register may be employed as will be apparent tothose skilled in the art, with any type or construction of vendingmachine.

For purposes of illustration and not by way of limitation, our registerhas been shown associated with a vending machine which, upon thedelivery of an article, will cause the rotation of either crank 96 orcrank 98. The cranks are interconnected by a link 100 so that upondelivery of the article purchased the crank 98 will rotate, rotatingbent lever 102 carrying the cam 432 downwardly and tilting the top ofthe money shelf to the right as viewed in Fig. 11, thus accepting themoney and permitting it to drop from the shelf and preventing a secondoperation of the vending machine for the same coins. If, however, thecolumn selected by the user is empty and no merchandise desired isdelivered, the coins will remain in place upon the shelf. The deliverymechanism rotates crank 86, thus pivoting lever 88 in acounter-clockwise direction resetting the slide and opening the switch82. The register is in position to be reoperated by the positioning ofanother push button 22 which may control another column containinganother brand of merchandise selling at the same price. If the purchaserdoes not desire another brand of merchandise, he may press thescavenging button 110, thus rotating the scavenging lever 106 in acounter-clockwise direction and the bent lever 114 in a clockwisedirection carrying the cam at the end of lever 114 downwardly to tiltthe top of the money shelf 206 to the left as viewed in Fig. 11returning the coins to the depositor.

Let us now consider what occurs when a twenty cent brand is selected. Insuch case, the lever 352 is removed and the money support 342 is bridgedand the stop 354 is removed. A purchaser then deposits either fournickels, two dimes, two nickels and one dime or a quarter. The pushbutton associated with the lower priced brand of merchandise has a pricedifferential cam 27 associated therewith such that upon their pressingof the push button, in addition to the operations described above, theprice differential lever 39 is rotated in a counterclockwise directionthus moving the pivot point 386 to the right and supplying a fulcrum forrotating the price differential cam lever 388 in a clockwise directionthrough a sufficient amplitude to operate change-giving lever 344 todrop a nickel in change which is returned to the customer through anappropriate chute. At the same time, the rotation of the pricedifferential lever moves price differential slide 71 to the left asviewed in Fig. 9 immobilizing the locking pin which would otherwiseoperate. In the case of the deposit of a quarter, the movement of thequarter slide 66 causes the leftward movement of the arm 356 whichcauses the pivoting of the change cam lever 388 through a sufficientamplitude to give the change described above. In the case of the depositof four nickels, the leftward movement of the price differential slideblocks locking rod 308. In order to insure that four nickels will bedeposited and that the machine cannot be deprived of the right amount, athird nickel must be deposited before the fifth nickel operating rodwill be immobilized. In the case of slide 68, the price differentialslide will immobilize the first nickel locking rod 300, permitting slide68 to be freed by the deposit of only two dimes. In the case of slide64, the third nickel locking rod 304 will be immobilized by the pricedifferential slide, permitting slide 64 to move upon the deposit of twonickels and a dime.

By inserting a slug permanently in the position shown by nickel 230 inFig. 8, the machine will operate for fifteen cent and twenty centpurchases in which case the second change-making lever 352 is replaced.The slug will take the place of one nickel at all times so that themoney register will operate on a standard purchase of twenty cents withtwo nickels and a dime, a quarter giving a nickel change, with two dimesor with four nickels. In the case of a quarter purchase with atwenty-cent setting, the amplitude of motion of the cam 390 carried bythe price differential lever 388 is suflicient to actuate only the firstchange lever 352. The amplitude of motion of the arm 358 carried by theslide 68 is insufficient to cause the change cam 390 to operate thechange lever 344 due to the position of the step 396 formed on thechange cam lever 388. In the case of a fifteen cent purchase the pricedifferential cam will always operate, thus supplying the equivalent ofthe second nickel for slide 64 and the fourth nickel in the case ofslide 70. When slide 68 is used for the fifteen cent purchase employingtwo dimes, one nickel in change will be given. When slide 66, which isfreed by a quarter, is used for a fifteen cent purchase two nickels inchange will be given.

It will be seen that I have accomplished the objects of my invention. Ihave provided a coin register assembly adapted to receive one or aplurality of coins of varying denominations, separate the coins intotheir respective denomination, past the appropriate slug ejectors,permit the vending machine to be operated to dispense the desiredmerchandise and if a coin or coins equaling a sum too large for theamount required to complete the purchase are used, to give the properamount of change. I have provided a coin register which is simple inconstruction and inexpensive to manufacture and which is adapted to vendarticles having different prices from the same vending machine. I haveprovided a combined coin register and change-making device in which thecoins for change are automatically replenished from coins deposited inthe vending machine and which change maker will give the proper amountof change depending upon the price of the article being vended and thedenomination of the coins deposited. I have provided a coin registerwhich is sturdy, reliable and safe and which will preclude the operationof a vending machine without the deposit of valid coins of the properdenominations. I have provided a coin register which is flexible andwhich will permit the operation of a vending machine for a predeterminedsum irrespective of the number and denomination of the coins making upthis sum. My coin register will operate irrespective of the amount ofwear on the coins and in spite of considerable deformation thereof. Ihave provided a coin register which will not accept the depositors moneyuntil after the articles to be purchased are delivered. My coin registeris such that it is easily removed as a unit for inspection orreplacement. The coin register of my invention has great flexibility andadaptability for application to vending machines of various typesirrespective of the sums required to render the coin register operative.I have provided a simple and convenient means for returning coins to theuser in event the machine is exhausted of the articles desired to bepurchased.

It is to be remembered that the construction I have shown is forpurposes of illustration only and that my coin register construction isadapted to be used with a large variety of coins including pennies andhalf dollars. By the use of additional slides any desired combination ofcoins may be employed to render the register operative.

It will be understood that certain features and subcombinations are ofutility and may be employed without reference to other features andsub-combinations. This is contemplated by and is within the scope of myclaims. It is further obvious that various changes may be made indetails within the scope of my claims without departing from the spiritof my invention. It is, therefore, to be understood that my invention isnot to be limited to the specific details shown and described.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is:

l. A coin register for coin-controlled devices, including incombination, a housing, a plurality of elongated slides generallyhorizontally positioned in said housing normally free for longitudinalmovement therein to a predetermined position, a plurality of carriagesmounted for movement transversely of said slides. means for biasing saidcarriages for movement toward said slides, a plurality of verticallydisposed stop members supported by said carriages for movement therewithand into engagement with the slides, a plurality of reentrant portionsdiffering from each other in number or position formed upon said slidesadjacent each of said stop members whereby upon a predetermined movementof said slides said stop members will seat in said reentrant portions toarrest movement of said slides, a generally vertical coin guidepositioned adjacent said carriages, means for supporting a coin or aplurality of different groups of coins on the coin guide adjacent thecarriages, means providing communication between said carriages and saidcoin guide the construction being such that a coin or plurality ofdifferent groups of coins of predetermined denomination positioned insaid coin guide will prevent the movement of different carriages orgroups of carriages from bearing the stop members to locking positionthereby freeing different slides for movement beyond the predeterminedposition.

2. A register as in claim 1, in which said slides are at least four innumber, said supporting means in the coin guide being adapted to receiveand position one quarter, five nickels and two dimes, one of said slidesbeing formed with a reentrant portion associated with a stop memberadapted to be immobilized by a quarter, another of said slides beingformed with reentrant portions associated with stop members adapted tobe immobilized by three nickels and a dime, another of said slides beingformed with reentrant portions associated with stop members adapted tobe immobilized by two dimes and a nickel and another of said slidesbeing formed with reentrant portions associated with stop membersadapted to be immobilized by five nickels.

3. A coin register for coin-controlled devices, including incombination, a coin guide, a pivoted money shelf having an upper surfaceforming the floor of said coin guide and adapted to support the coinspositioned therein, a register housing mounted adjacent said coin guide,elongated slides substantially horizontally positioned in said housingnormally free for longitudinal movement therein to a predeterminedposition, a plurality of carriages mounted for movement transversely ofsaid slides, means for biasing said carriages for movement toward saidslides, a plurality of generally vertical stop members supported byrespective carriages for movement therewith and into engagement with theslides, a plurality of reentrant portions formed upon said slidesdiffering from each other in number or position adjacent one or severalof said stop members whereby upon a predetermined movement of saidslides said stop members will seat in coacting reentrant portions toarrest the movement of respective slides, means providing communicationbetween said carriages and said coin guide the construction being suchthat a coin or a plurality of different groups of coins of predetermineddenominations positioned in said coin guide will prevent movement ofsaid carriages from bearing the stop members to locking position therebyfreeing at least one slide for movement beyond its predeterminedposition.

4. In a register for a coin-controlled device a sliding member, meansmounting said member normally free to slide, a plurality of carriagesmounted for movement transversely of the longitudinal axis of saidsliding member, stop means carried by each carriage, said sliding memberbeing formed with a plurality of reentrant portions in which respectivestop means are adapted to seat after a predetermined movement of saidsliding member, means biasing said carriages to move said stop means toseating position, a generally vertically disposed coin guide adapted toreceive a plurality of coins, means providing communication between saidcarriages and said coin guide, the construction being such that whencoins totaling a predetermined sum are positioned in said coin guidesaid carriages will be prevented from carrying said stop members toseating position, thus permitting the sliding member to move beyond itsnormally predetermined limit of motion, a first manually operable meansassociated with a column of articles of a certain price equaling saidpredetermined sum adapted to move said slide when coins equalling saidsum are deposited in said coin guide, a price differential slide mountedadiacent said sliding member, means carried by said price differentialslide adapted to immobilize one of said carriages to simulate thedeposit of a coin in said coin guide, a second manually operable meansassociated with a column of articles of lower price than said certainprice, means associated with said second manually operable means formoving both said first sliding member and said price differential slideto free said sliding member when coins aggregating said lower price aredeposited in the coin guide.

5. In a coin register, a coin guide for receiving and positioning coinsof different denominations, a pivoted money shelf mounted below the coinguide having an upper surface forming the floor of the guide upon whichcoins are adapted to rest generally horizontally adjacent to each other,means for pivoting the money shelf in one direction for returning thecoins on the money shelf to the depositor, means responsive to thedelivery of an article being vended for pivoting the coin shelf in theother direction to accept the coins, a coin reservoir mounted on themoney shelf, means for removing a coin from the reservoir for return toa purchaser as change representing the difference between the purchaseprice of the article being vended and the value of the coin or coinsdeposited to permit the actuation of a vending machine with which theregister is associated, and means for directing coins from the moneyshelf upon its motion to coin-accepting position into the reservoir toreplenish the same.

6. A coin controlled device including in combination an operating chainof elements adapted to move to permit the actuation of the device, saidchain including any one of a plurality of slides, means mounting theslides for sliding movement, a plurality of stop means, a plurality ofbiasing means normally urging the stop means to slide-stopping position,respective means associated with respective slides adapted to eoact withpredetermined stop means to arrest the movability of respectiveReferences Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS715,735 Albert et a1 Dec. 16, 1902 1,347,742 Helt July 27, 19201,527,351 Egan Feb. 24, 1925 1,721,441 Forney July 16, 1929 1,737,511Mitchell Nov. 26, 1929 1,926,848 Giles Sept. 12, 1933 2,279,664DuGrenier Apr. 14, 1942 2,323,255 Sutherland June 29, 1943 2,377,413 FryJune 5, 1945 FOREIGN PATENTS 580,500 Great Britain Sept. 10, 1946142,006 Great Britain Apr. 29, 1920 671,634 Germany Feb. 10, 1939

